GUWAHATI, Dec 2: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that the ongoing unrest in Manipur, especially in Jiribam, could have repercussions for Assam. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Cachar district, Sarma confirmed that precautionary measures have been put in place in anticipation of any potential spillover of unrest from neighboring Manipur.
Sarma stated, “I think the situation in Manipur will definitely have some impact in Assam. That is why we have deployed additional police forces in the Barak Valley to ensure that nothing comes to Assam.” His comments follow recent tensions in Assam’s Cachar district, which have been linked to the unrest in Manipur.
On November 14, protests erupted in Cachar after the bodies of suspected militants killed in Jiribam were brought to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem. Villagers, including family members of the slain militants, demanded the return of the bodies, escalating tensions in the region.
Further complicating the situation, the recovery of six bodies from local water bodies in Cachar, added to the unrest in the area. These incidents have led to heightened concerns about the potential for further disturbances in Assam, particularly in the Barak Valley.
In addition to addressing the unrest, Sarma responded to questions about a man from Cachar, L Kamal Babu, who went missing in Manipur. Sarma confirmed that the police are investigating the matter, and discussions are ongoing with the Manipur government regarding his disappearance. Kamal Babu, from Cachar, went missing on November 25 in an Army camp located in Imphal West district, Manipur.
He emphasized that while the two states are “emotionally and culturally connected,” they are geographically distinct, and incidents in Manipur should not be directly linked to Assam.
